Perceptions of the Stakeholders towards the Use of Corporal Punishment in Zimbabwean Schools: A Case Study of Bulawayo

This article analyzed the views of the stakeholders towards the administration of corporal punishment in Zimbabwean schools, with Bulawayo as a Case Study. The use of corporal punishment may pose both negative and positive effects in the Zimbabwean education system whereas the complete negation of corporal punishment has its own detrimental and positive effects as well. In rigorous efforts to establish child friendly schools in Zimbabwe, where children are seen as stakeholders as well as linking their vision with teachers in schools developments, this research was carried out against the notion of ‘spare the rod and spoil the child’ in order to come up with the right formulae of instilling discipline to school children. The methodology was qualitative in nature while the research design is a case study. Research tools and techniques such as questionnaires and interviews were administered to selected school children, teachers, education officials, human rights groups, policy makers, child protection groups and parents in order to solicit for their views on corporal punishment. The results indicated that although most of the stakeholders do not support the use of corporal punishment in schools, they appear to agree that, for troublesome and uncounsellable children, it can be used as a last resort. Document analysis was carried out on newspapers and circulars containing the ministry of education rules and regulations on corporal punishment in line with the international conventions on the rights of children. It was also established that the teachers need to be trained on how to handle corporal punishment issues, while children, child protection groups, parents and human rights groups were urged to view teachers without suspicions, just like stakeholders contributing to mould a better child.